Off-ramp
Meaning: The exit ramp that leads off a highway or freeway, or figuratively, an exit strategy from a situation.
The off-ramp gets you off the highway, and the term has become a popular metaphor for any exit or escape from a commitment, project, or situation. Politicians talk about 'off-ramps' from conflicts, and business people look for 'off-ramps' from bad deals.
Examples
- Take the next off-ramp and turn right at the light. 从下一个出口下去,然后在红绿灯右转。Coge la siguiente salida y gira a la derecha en el semáforo.次の出口で降りて、信号を右折して。다음 출구에서 빠져나와서 신호등에서 우회전해.
- The company needs an off-ramp from this contract. 公司需要找到退出这份合同的办法。La empresa necesita una vía de salida de este contrato.会社はこの契約からの出口戦略が必要だ。회사에 이 계약에서 빠져나갈 출구가 필요해.
- She missed the off-ramp and had to drive five extra miles. 她错过了出口,不得不多开五英里。Se pasó la salida y tuvo que conducir ocho kilómetros de más.彼女は出口を通り過ぎて、余計に5マイルも走る羽目になった。그녀가 출구를 놓쳐서 5마일을 더 달려야 했어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: driving, politics, business strategy
Tone: practical, strategic
✓ Do Say
- Our off-ramp is exit 42.我们的出口是42号。Nuestra salida es la número 42.降りるのは出口42番だよ。우리 출구는 42번이야.
- We need to find an off-ramp from this deal.我们得找个办法从这笔交易中脱身。Necesitamos encontrar una salida de este acuerdo.この取引からの出口を見つけないと。이 거래에서 빠져나갈 방법을 찾아야 해.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't confuse with 'on-ramp' — off-ramp means exit不要和'on-ramp'搞混——off-ramp是出口No confundir con 'on-ramp': off-ramp significa salida「on-ramp」と混同しないこと——off-rampは出口を意味する'on-ramp'와 혼동하지 말 것 — off-ramp는 출구를 뜻한다
Origin & History
American English from the 1950s-60s Interstate Highway era. The figurative usage for exit strategies became common in political and business language by the 1990s.
Cultural Context
Era: 1950s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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